Hi folks
I have been somewhat distant on here for a while. In
time as I process things in my own way, I am sure that I will be able to
share more of that’s happened.
This post has been drafted for so long I never felt
ready to press share, until now. Writing is how I have learned to process my
thoughts over the years, it is how I process my feelings and express myself.
But this, this one thing I couldn’t write about for what has felt like an
eternity.
Last year I received a formal diagnosis myself. I found out at the age of 42 that I am autistic. And today, Autistic Pride Day 2022, I finally feel proud to say it out loud.
I have supported two of my children through the diagnostic process learn to love themselves. We all face different challenges and have different strengths, yet we all share one common thread. How can that be? How can we all be so different yet share the same label? That question along with many others is for another time, another day.
For many years I didn’t see autism in myself, I think looking back now that’s because I had a very narrow view of what autism looked like. And I hid my struggles. I masked and pushed my differences deep down into my belly where they could cause no trouble to anyone (except to me). I was diagnosed with mental health issues and told at times that I had a lot to cope with, so my breakdowns and poor mental health were understandable and just a fact of life.
Those closest to me in the world already know, and to them it has made no difference. Their love and acceptance have helped me process the news and helped me to feel ready to share this out loud today. But some who read this today may be very surprised. And that’s OK, if I didn't know for all these years, then how could they? All that shows is just how much there is still to do in terms of raising awareness around what it actually means to be autistic, especially for women like me.
And right now, I am not ready to have to explain the ins and outs of my diagnosis to those who may react in that way. And nor should I have to. It isn't my responsibility to persuade anyone of the basis of my diagnosis or have to answer any doubts and disbelief people may have. The adult diagnostic process is a long and detailed clinical assessment that people have to wait years for and often it only comes after years and years of misdiagnosis and trauma.
The assessment is carried out by clinical
psychologists and highly trained professionals who know their stuff. The reason
for seeking a diagnosis (especially at my age) is complex and very personal to
the individual. It can be hard for people to understand why after all these
years I felt the need to be formally diagnosed. But for people like me we have
often spent our whole lives feeling broken, different and out of step with the
rest of the world and that can be a horrible place to find yourself, believe
me.
So please, no judgements are welcome here, I don’t
seek sympathy nor any well-meaning comments about how well I have hidden it, or
how you can’t believe it as have always seemed so ‘normal’.
Please believe me, as well intentioned your comments may actually be they will serve me little use and would only go to show a lack of understanding and empathy for others like me.
You see for every person who read this and think “she can’t be autistic,” there will be many more that have hidden away their true selves from the world in the same way that I have for all these years. And they may take some comfort from seeing someone like them say the words out loud to light the way forward for them. I know I have when I have seen other late diagnosed women braving the world with their diagnosis.
My challenges and difficulties have been so hidden and private all my life that the thought of talking about them openly (especially with people who know me well) feels rather daunting. It’s not that I am ashamed of being autistic… far from it, it is just a process that I have to go though, I guess. But I do not need to share with the world the things I have struggled with so privately all my life to prove to them the reason I sought diagnosis. One day, when I feel ready, I am sure I will write about aspects of my life as a means of advocacy and raising awareness. But I am not yet ready for that.
You see the whole assessment process left me feeling raw and exposed, as I opened up about things, I have buried deep within me. And the process of peeling back of those layers is hard. It tears open old wounds that never healed.
As proud as I am, discovering your true self is hard. Taking the lifelong mask off is hard.
I
have watched famous women talk about their diagnosis with a feeling of envy
over the last few months and I couldn’t understand how they talked about it
with such ease … so openly, I wished I could share just a fraction of their
bravery. I feel like I have carried around this secret since last year and I
had no way of sharing it. My words were muted by anxiety and my emotions numbed
the fear of letting go of any control I had.
Processing an autism diagnosis is a very long, complex
process and I am only just coming to terms with this. I am learning to face my
inner struggles in my own way privately, never mind having to justify my diagnosis
to others who don’t understand anything about late diagnosed autistic women, I
simply haven’t been ready for that.
A few months ago, my mum told to me that I am different now somehow, lighter,
somethings changed for the better she said. “I think it’s since you got your
diagnosis.” It was like a lightbulb moment for me as I have felt this change
inside of me but didn’t think others could see it. But it radiates from within me,
and I have no control. The relief I felt of it all finally making sense. The hidden
me learning to slowly peep out from behind the shadows, and to be brave enough
to screw what anyone else may think of it all. To say out loud when something
is worrying me. To rest when I feel burnout. To turn out the lights when I feel
overwhelmed. To lose myself in hours of study. To say no sometimes. Small acts
of self-advocacy and bravery each day are enabling me to be my true self,
instead of pretending that I am OK when in fact my insides are writhing in the
pain of pretence.
I recently went for a job interview (for a job I really wanted) and I had to decide whether or not to tell them about my autism. But I was brave and bold as I see my autism in fact as a strength in many ways that actually would help me in the role. I was scared they would see it as a flaw. But I got the job. They accepted me and wanted me just the way I was. The autistic me. No mask, no pretence, no hiding. And it made me realise that I can be my true self and not be scared anymore. For me, the road to happiness is going to be found by following the route of authenticity.
Saying this out loud is the first step. I have had to accept my diagnosis in order to process it as I have always fiercely encouraged my teens to embrace their differences. So, I now have to learn to practice what I preach and for me this is how I move down the path of self-acceptance.
I need to learn to forgive who I have been and see my
previous failures and challenges through a different lens. I wasn't weak, or
flaky, snobbish or straight faced. I was autistic.
I need to accept who I am now and speak up for myself
more. Make the accommodations I need, and learn to set some boundaries to protect my own mental health.
And I will embrace and love who I am to become … a proud
autistic middle aged menopausal woman!
